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cis-apache24-2.7

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Ensure the User Directories Module Is Disabled

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2.7 Ensure the User Directories Module Is Disabled (Automated)

Profile Applicability

  • Level 1

Description

The UserDir directive must be disabled so that user home directories are not accessed via the web site with a tilde (~) preceding the username. The directive also sets the path name of the directory that will be accessed. For example:

  • http://example.com/~ralph/ might access a public_html sub-directory of ralph user's home directory
  • The directive UserDir ./ might map ~root to the root directory (/).

Rationale

The user directories should not be globally enabled since it allows anonymous access to anything users may want to share with other users on the network. Also consider that every time a new account is created on the system, there is potentially new content available via the web site.

Audit

Perform the following to determine if the modules are enabled.

Run the httpd server with the -M option to list enabled modules:

# httpd -M | grep userdir

Note: If the modules are correctly disabled, there will be no output when executing the above command.

Remediation

Perform either one of the following to disable the user directories module:

  1. For source builds with static modules, run the Apache ./configure script with the --disable-userdir configure script options.
    • $ cd $DOWNLOAD_HTTPD
    • $ ./configure --disable-userdir
  2. For dynamically loaded modules, comment out or remove the LoadModule directive for mod_userdir module from the httpd.conf file.
    • ##LoadModule userdir_module modules/mod_userdir.so

Default Value

The mod_userdir module is not enabled with a default source build.

References

  1. https://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.4/mod/mod_userdir.html

CIS Controls

  • v8: 4.8 Uninstall or Disable Unnecessary Services on Enterprise Assets and Software
  • v7: 9.2 Ensure Only Approved Ports, Protocols and Services Are Running

Profile

  • Level 1